Sharks to honor George Gund III with banner at SAP Center, announce 2015 promotional schedule, dates for when Heritage Jersey will be worn

The Sharks announced Tuesday they will unveil a banner dedicated to the team’s original owner, George Gund III, before their regular season home opener Oct. 10 against Anaheim.

The unveiling coincides with the start of the Sharks’ 25th anniversary season and be a permanent honor to Gund, who helped bring hockey to San Jose. Participants in the tribute will include Gund’s brother and former original Sharks co-owner Gordon Gund, son George Gund IV, Susan Savage, wife of the late Art Savage who served as the Sharks first president and CEO, Matt Levine, the team’s first head of business operations, and George Kingston, the Sharks first head coach.

“George Gund’s love of the game of hockey, and his belief in the city of San Jose and our fans are the reasons we are all here today,” Sharks owner Hasso Plattner said in a statement. “His legacy deserves to be honored and remembered forever. This banner will serve to remind everyone of his impact on the game of hockey and the Sharks franchise.”

“Hockey was a passion for George Gund III, and that passion manifested itself in his love for the Sharks, for San Jose and for the Bay Area,” National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “George made a commitment to bringing hockey to Northern California and did it in a way that excited the community and silenced the skeptics. We thank him for pioneering the Sharks tradition for generations of new fans.”

The Sharks made the announcement on the same day they unveiled their promotional schedule for this season. Most notably, they will unveil their “Heritage Jersey,” a throwback sweater of sorts that will be worn when the Sharks host Columbus on Nov. 3, Pittsburgh on Dec. 1 and Ottawa on Jan. 18.

In addition, a special, six-part 25th anniversary poster series featuring artwork by local artists will be distributed, showcasing memorable moments and players from the Sharks history.

Sharks fans can also look forward to a three-part alumni mini-locker giveaway series on Nov. 7, Jan. 9, and March 12 featuring three of the most prominent players in Sharks history: Owen Nolan (11/7), Mike Ricci (1/9) and Evgeni Nabokov (3/12).

Fans will have the opportunity to re-connect with players from the team’s past as many former members will be brought back to SAP Center and recognized.

Several dates have been confirmed, with many more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Confirmed attendees include; Scott Thornton (Oct. 22), Mike Ricci (Jan. 9) and Evgeni Nabokov (March 12). Alumni Nights will include a brief pre-game video tribute, dropping of the ceremonial first puck and visits to the Sharks television and radio broadcasts. In the days surrounding the alumni game night, the former players will also engage in community and fan engagement activities.